Many older workers are exposed to environmental risks at work: Exposure to potentially harmful environmental conditions by age, 2018
Age | Prime-age workers (35–49) | Older workers (50–70) |
---|---|---|
Any environmental exposure | 55.0% | 54.2% |
Handle infectious materials | 17.1% | 15.6% |
Breathe secondhand tobacco smoke | 13.7% | 6.7% |
Handle chemical products | 20.7% | 16.9% |
Breathe vapors | 14.1% | 10.9% |
Breathe smoke, fumes, powder or dust | 15.6% | 13.9% |
Endure low temperatures | 27.6% | 32.3% |
Endure high temperatures | 33.9% | 35.8% |
Endure loud noise | 31.3% | 27.4% |
Handle vibrating tools or machinery | 21.4% | 16.4% |
Note: Figure B shows the share of workers exposed to these conditions a quarter of the time or more.
Source: Author’s analysis of 2018 American Working Conditions Survey microdata (RAND Corporation 2018).